Kenya election: Mombasa violence mars start of voting

Reports of at least twelve deaths in election related violence in Mombasa has
marred what has otherwise been a tense but peaceful start to proceedings in
Kenya's presidential elections.

10:17AM GMT 04 Mar 2013

The tense elections are seen as a crucial test for Kenya, with leaders vowing to avoid a repeat of the bloody 2007-8 post-poll violence in which over 1,100 people were killed, with observers repeatedly warning of the risk of renewed conflict.

Tensions were highin the port city of Mombasa, where an ambush blamed on a separatist movement killed at least 12 people hours before the opening of polling stations, police said.

In Nairobi, people began lining up outside polling stations from as early as 4:00 am (0100 GMT) to cast their votes, two hours ahead of the official opening of the polls, with delays reported in some areas.

One of the first to cast his vote in the western town of Eldoret was William Ruto, running mate for presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kenyatta, who is one of the top two candidates for president, faces charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for orchestrating the 2007-08 post-election violence.

If he wins, the US and Europe could scale back relations with Kenya, and Kenyatta may have to spend a significant portion of his presidency at The Hague.

Ruto also faces charges at the ICC. After casting his vote, he did not comment on the proceedings.

"We want to call on all our supporters, all our supporters, to remain peaceful during and after this election and that all of us, starting with ourselves and all our supporters, we must keep the peace in our country," said Ruto.